Pension Credit eligibility, how to apply and how much you get as winter fuel allowance cut for millions

Millions of pensioners won't receive extra money for utility bills after the government cut winter fuel payments but many who are eligible may be missing out. Previously a blanket payment for everyone aged 66 and above, pensioners are now only entitled to it if they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.

Last winter some 10.8m pensioners received the payment. The number will drop to 1.5m this year as the government hopes to save the treasury £1.3bn. An opposition motion to halt the policy was rejected by a majority of 120 on Tuesday, September 10 as the Conservatives, Lib Dems, SNP, Reform and Greens all voted against the Labour government.

Many opposing MPs expressed their outrage at the policy would mostly affect the one to two million people slightly above the means test threshold Former pensions minister Baroness Altmann told Times Radio these people "are poorer than those on Pension Credit and there is no mitigation for them", adding: "The chancellor and the prime minister may not be aware of just how there are so many poor pensioners in this country and are focusing perhaps just on those who are very well off."

READ MORE: How did my MP vote on Winter Fuel Payment cut? Use our interactive widget to find out

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a campaign to make sure everyone who is eligible signs up to receive Pension Credit. In turn, this would mean they'd also still receive a winter fuel payment of £200-£300 - depending on age. Some 880,000 pensioners are missing out according to the DWP.

How to apply for Pension Credit

You can start your application for Pension Credit up to four months before you reach State Pension age. From then on you can apply at any time, although beware that your application can only be backdated by three months - so you can only get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.

You can apply for Pension Credit using this link. Before carrying out the application make sure you have the following information about yourself and your partner if you have one.

• National Insurance number

• Information about any income, savings and investments you have

• Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to

Am I eligible for Pension Credit?

When you apply for Pension Credit your income is calculated. If you have a partner, your income is calculated together. Pension Credit tops up:

• Your weekly income to £218.15 if you're single

• Your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner

So if your income is less than those figures, you are eligible. State pension, other pensions, earnings from employment/self-employment and most security benefits are all included in your income. However not all benefits are counted as income. The following are among those not counted:

• Adult Disability Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Christmas Bonus

• Child Benefit

• Disability Living Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Reduction

If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

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